BN leaders respect Abdullah’s decision
KUALA LUMPUR:
Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders have accepted Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision not to defend the Umno President’s post at Party election in March and to relinquish the Prime Minister’s post after that. They also said that they were touched by the Prime Minister’s commitment to implement initiatives to improve the country’s compe
titiveness although there was already a leadership transition in place. Parti Bersatü Sabah President Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan also said that the Party accepted Abdullah’s decision. “He made the decision based on certain considerations. We will continue to support the BN and hope that it will win with a bigger majority in the next election,” he said. United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation President Tan Sri 
Bernard Dompok meanwhile, expressed his gratitude for the guidance provided by Abdullah all the while. He also hoped that the Prime Minister could table Bills in Parliament from now until March. Dompok said this would complete Abdullah’s unfmished exercise “to reform Malaysia.” “I certainly am very touched that the Prime Minister has chosen the meeting of BN leaders to announce this, which means that he takes into account the interest of BN,” Dompok said. Liberal Democratic Party President Datuk V K Liew described the decision by Abdullah in not seeking nomination to Umno Presidency, and in informing the BN component parties of the decision, as an act of courage and a responsible leader. He said LDP respected the decision and saluted Abdullah for being sincere and honourable in allowing the smooth transition of power to take place. “We support Pak Lah’s choice of successor in the name of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and we wish to record our highest appreciation to Pak Lah for being a leader who has been liberal and allowing democracy to flourish in our country. “I would have wished for less condemnation of errors and more commendation of rights. Be that as it may, we are now having the prospect of having a new Umno President and a new Prime Minister of Malaysia,” he said. MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting described Abdullah’s meeting wfth the component parties yesterday as historic, as the leadershad the opportunities to participate in the discussion before the Prime Minister announced his decision. “All component leaders had shared their views that t BN would bring about changes which would restore the people’s confidence towards the coalition. “We also expressed our gratitudes to the Prime Minister d for his efforts to lead the BN. He will be working until s March,” he told reporters.Abdullah announced the decision after chairing the C BN Supreme Council meeting yesterday, which was v attended by leaders of all 13 BN component parties. MIC President Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu described the ii decision as “a good decision”. “The Prime Minister said that for the sake of Unmo and BN unity, he is not contesting in the next Party election and he is prepared to hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib. I think it is a very good ending. r “We hope that they both will be working together until next March,” he said. Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said he was touched by Abdullah’s decision. “What is more important is that he is also committed to implementing the reform which he had promised, including strengthening the judiciary, setting up independent commissions to monitor enforcement agencies such as the anti-corruption and police,” he said. PPP President Datuk M Kayveas said, “The party to accepts the decision and supports Datuk Seri Najib as the successor... no objection.” - Bernama
titiveness although there was already a leadership transition in place. Parti Bersatü Sabah President Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan also said that the Party accepted Abdullah’s decision. “He made the decision based on certain considerations. We will continue to support the BN and hope that it will win with a bigger majority in the next election,” he said. United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation President Tan Sri 
Bernard Dompok meanwhile, expressed his gratitude for the guidance provided by Abdullah all the while. He also hoped that the Prime Minister could table Bills in Parliament from now until March. Dompok said this would complete Abdullah’s unfmished exercise “to reform Malaysia.” “I certainly am very touched that the Prime Minister has chosen the meeting of BN leaders to announce this, which means that he takes into account the interest of BN,” Dompok said. Liberal Democratic Party President Datuk V K Liew described the decision by Abdullah in not seeking nomination to Umno Presidency, and in informing the BN component parties of the decision, as an act of courage and a responsible leader. He said LDP respected the decision and saluted Abdullah for being sincere and honourable in allowing the smooth transition of power to take place. “We support Pak Lah’s choice of successor in the name of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and we wish to record our highest appreciation to Pak Lah for being a leader who has been liberal and allowing democracy to flourish in our country. “I would have wished for less condemnation of errors and more commendation of rights. Be that as it may, we are now having the prospect of having a new Umno President and a new Prime Minister of Malaysia,” he said. MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting described Abdullah’s meeting wfth the component parties yesterday as historic, as the leadershad the opportunities to participate in the discussion before the Prime Minister announced his decision. “All component leaders had shared their views that t BN would bring about changes which would restore the people’s confidence towards the coalition. “We also expressed our gratitudes to the Prime Minister d for his efforts to lead the BN. He will be working until s March,” he told reporters.Abdullah announced the decision after chairing the C BN Supreme Council meeting yesterday, which was v attended by leaders of all 13 BN component parties. MIC President Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu described the ii decision as “a good decision”. “The Prime Minister said that for the sake of Unmo and BN unity, he is not contesting in the next Party election and he is prepared to hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib. I think it is a very good ending. r “We hope that they both will be working together until next March,” he said. Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said he was touched by Abdullah’s decision. “What is more important is that he is also committed to implementing the reform which he had promised, including strengthening the judiciary, setting up independent commissions to monitor enforcement agencies such as the anti-corruption and police,” he said. PPP President Datuk M Kayveas said, “The party to accepts the decision and supports Datuk Seri Najib as the successor... no objection.” - Bernama 
